1080p vs 1440p vs 4K Gaming Monitors - My Experience

Summary

This video script reviews three high-end gaming monitors with varying resolutions and refresh rates: ASUS's 360Hz 1080p, Aurus's 240Hz 1440p, and LG's 160Hz 4K. It discusses the trade-offs between resolution and refresh rate, the superiority of IPS panels over TN, and the suitability of each monitor for different types of gamers. The script suggests that 1080p is still relevant for those with lower GPU power or esports enthusiasts, while 1440p offers a balance for new mainstream GPUs. 4K, best for detail-oriented gamers with high-end GPUs, may require adjusting game settings for optimal performance.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The script discusses testing three high-end gaming monitors with different refresh rates and resolutions: 360Hz 1080p, 240Hz 1440p, and 160Hz 4K.
• 🔄 The importance of balancing resolution and refresh rate is highlighted, as higher resolution often means a lower refresh rate.
• 📺 IPS panels are recommended over TN for better color and viewing angles, with the exception of BenQ's TN displays with DyAc technology for esports gamers.
• 👀 1080p resolution is still relevant in 2021, especially for those with lower GPU power or esports enthusiasts seeking the highest frame rates and lowest latency.
• 💻 The script suggests that 1440p monitors, especially those with high refresh rates, are a good fit for new mainstream GPUs and offer a competitive advantage in gaming.
• 🚀 For gamers with high-end GPUs, 1440p provides a significant resolution increase and is more demanding than 1080p, offering a better gaming experience.
• 🖥 4K gaming on a 27-inch display is possible and offers a retina-like experience, but it requires a very powerful GPU to achieve high frame rates.
• 📊 The difference in pixel rendering between 4K at 60 FPS and 1440p at higher frame rates is emphasized, showing the GPU's workload.
• 🛠️ The video mentions that even if a desired frame rate isn't achievable, adjusting the rendering resolution in games can still benefit from a 4K panel.
• 💡 The level of detail and texture in 4K gaming is noted as a significant improvement over lower resolutions for those who value visual fidelity.
• 📍 Recommendations are provided for different types of gamers based on their GPU capabilities and gaming preferences, ranging from 1080p to 4K.

Q & A

What are the three gaming monitors discussed in the script?

The three gaming monitors discussed are the 360Hz ASUS PG259QN, the 240Hz Aorus FI 27QX, and the 160Hz LG 27GN950.

What are the resolutions of the three monitors mentioned?

The resolutions are 1080p for the ASUS PG259QN, 1440p for the Aorus FI 27QX, and 4K for the LG 27GN950.

Why are IPS panels recommended over TN panels in 2021 for gaming?

IPS panels are recommended over TN panels due to their better color reproduction, more vibrant and punchier images, and superior viewing angles, which are important for competitive gaming.

Why is the 1080p resolution still considered relevant in 2021?

1080p is still relevant for those with older GPUs or those who prefer more affordable hardware, as well as for esports enthusiasts who need the least input latency and highest frame rates.

What is the main advantage of a 1440p display for esports gamers?

A 1440p display offers a balance between high resolution and high refresh rates, which can be beneficial for competitive gaming, especially in games that involve fighting at longer ranges.

What GPUs are recommended for a 1440p gaming setup?

New mainstream GPUs like the RTX 3060 Ti and higher, including the RTX 2080 or higher, are recommended for a 1440p gaming setup.

What is the current refresh rate of the LG 27GN950, and is there an update planned?

The LG 27GN950 currently has a 144Hz refresh rate out of the box, but a firmware update can potentially increase it to 160Hz. However, LG will be releasing an updated true 160Hz option soon.

Is 4K gaming on a 27-inch display worth it, and what is the pixel density like?

Yes, 4K gaming on a 27-inch display is worth it, offering a retina-like experience where individual pixels are not easily discernible, providing a significant increase in detail over 1440p and 1080p.

What is the GPU requirement for running 4K gaming at above 100 FPS?

An RTX 3080 or higher is recommended for running 4K gaming at above 100 FPS.

What is the recommended approach if a game's desired frame rate cannot be achieved at 4K resolution?

If the desired frame rate cannot be achieved at 4K, the script suggests turning down the rendering resolution of the game to still benefit from the 4K panel in other areas such as video and photo editing.

What are some factors to consider when choosing between 1080p, 1440p, and 4K gaming monitors?

Factors to consider include GPU capability, desired refresh rate, input latency, the importance of image detail and texture, and whether the user is an esports enthusiast or prefers a more cinematic gaming experience.